2025

Jordyn and Gracelyn took a vacation to New York City in August 2025. They wanted to tour around and see the sights, sample the cuisine, but most of all they wanted to make sure they got in a few shows. They didn't go extravagant by any stretch of the imagination. They found a small hotel room (closet would be more accurate) that was close to Times Square and within walking distance to the Theater District. The hotel was also only minutes away by foot to transit stations that connected them to points all over the city. They visited sites like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, MoMA, Spyscape (spy museum), the Museum of Broadway, and the American Museum of Natural History. They hit up a few famous eateries too like Joe's Pizza, Katz Deli, Amorino Gelato, and Chelsea Market. The didn't overdo it by trying to get in as much as they could. They were efficient by making sure when they were in a particular area they saw what was of interest nearby.

Jordyn and Gracelyn both left California around the same time, Jordyn from San Jose and Gracelyn from Los Angeles. They met up in Denver where they boarded the same connecting flight to La Guardia. By the time they landed it was after dinner on the east coast, but probably only mid-afternoon on the west coast. They boarded a "private shuttle" (Tesla) at the airport that took them to the hotel. After settling in they headed out to grab something to eat. They heard about the pizza in New York so they found Joe's Pizza a few blocks away and each had a "slice".

On their first full day in New York they went to Spyscape where they experienced a series of challenges to determine what kinds of spies they were. Jordyn was deemed a Hacker. According to the Spyscape website a Hacker is someone who breaks into enemy computer systems or protects their own systems from cyber attack. After Spyscape they made it over to the Walter Kerr Theatre to see the Tony Award winning musical, Hadestown. Following that they walked about 4 1/2 blocks to have dinner at Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles II followed by dessert at Amorino.

Day 2 was a full day as they headed out to the Museum of Broadway. Of course, Jordyn was looking for anything Hamilton related. For lunch they stopped by world famous Katz's Deli for pastrami sandwiches. Jordyn said the pastrami was like butter and literally melted in her mouth. Later, they got on a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and then to Ellis Island.

On their third full day in New York they visited Chelsea Market where they shopped and ate lunch at Friedman's. Jordyn also stopped in at Heatonist where she bought hot sauces for gifts. When they were done they took in another musical, Little Shop of Horrors, at the Westside Theatre.

Day 4 was set aside to visit the Museum of Modern Art. While there they saw some masterpieces such as Water Lillies by Claude Monet and Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. They ventured out later and walked by Radio City Music Hall on their way to see yet another musical, Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theatre. For dinner they ate pasta about 4 blocks away on Restaurant Row at Becco.

On their second to last day in New York, Jordyn and Gracelyn took in the American Museum of Natural History. Jordyn mentioned how huge this museum is, rivaling many of the Smithsonians in Washington D.C.. Later, for dinner they tried an omakase sushi place named, Sushi by Bou. The food was excellent, but the real story here is who Gracelyn happened to be sitting next to but didn't realize it. Turns out Neil Patrick Harris was sitting at the end of the bar minding his own business reading what can only be considered a script or screenplay. He was definitely trying to keep a low profile with his airpods in and just enjoying his meal. They didn't want to bother him so they just minded their own business and let him be.

To finish out their vacation in New York, Jordyn and Gracelyn took in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met).